Discussions occurring around citations for social distancing

Wednesday

Apr 8, 2020 at 8:30 AMApr 8, 2020 at 11:16 AM

Local law enforcement are still in talks of what the latest order by Gov. Kim Reynolds will look like for the City of Boone.

On April 6, Gov. Reynolds ordered law agencies to order citations for those who do not abide by social distancing guidelines in an effort to control the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, the governor’s office extended closures until April 30 to other non-essential businesses including malls and vaping shops, along with playgrounds, campgrounds and skate parks.

This week, school closures also now extend until April 30.

“We’re still evaluating the governor’s order from yesterday with our city attorney,” said John Wiebold, police chief for the city of Boone Police Department. “Anything we do would certainly go through him.”

Boone residents have been abiding by social distancing guidelines, according to Wiebold.

“So far, from what we’ve seen and what we’ve had called in, the citizens of Boone are doing a good job of social distancing,” Wiebold said. “Businesses are voluntarily following the governor’s orders without input from us and church orders are doing the same. So far, all is well with Boone.”

Wiebold said prior to the latest order, the department received a few calls regarding social distancing concerns.

“We’ve had a few calls come in about reporting that people weren’t social distancing, most of that was before the latest proclamation by the governor,” Wiebold said. “For the most part, things have gone very well.”